Organize your heart to make room for Jesus

July 9, 2025

Maria John 8, the Heart , Leave a comment

…you have no room for my word. John 8:37 NIV

When I taught French in middle and high school I learned not to give any explanation of why something was expressed a certain way. Unless asked.  Students usually didn’t want or need to know more than what something meant. 

Can you pick up that I did not teach French using the old-fashioned ways of focusing on grammar and vocabulary. I was after language acquisition. I wanted students to have the language living inside of them, so it could emerge naturally. Afterall, isn’t that why anyone would want to learn a language, so they can communicate with someone?  Mistakes and all? 

Yet, when a student DID ask me a question, I recognized right away that he had found a space in his brain to receive a very short and precise explanation.  He was receptive and ready to digest something new.

This morning I saw the parallel principle at work in John.  Jesus is explaining why those questioning Him don’t believe His teachings.  Their minds are so taken with the idea of being descendents of Abraham, that they have no space to consider a new doctrine. Five verses earlier as John records, Jesus had said: 

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Each morning I take in God’s word.  But maybe I don’t have freed-up space to notice something I previously overlooked. 

I’m motivated now to ask for the Spirit’s help tomorrow morning. May He clean up and perhaps order my heart’s understanding so I can be open to receiving pure Gospel truth whether from the Old Testament or the New. That way I can grow and become more fluent in Gospel Hope. 

Ever-present help that brings peace

July 1, 2025

Maria God's wisdom , , , , , , , 2 Comments

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, . . . Romans 15:13 NIV

I’m editing a book of 365 short devotionals that I composed over a four-year period.  Just now I re-read one of them and found encouragement and perspective I could retro-apply to a recent visit with family.  In my earlier devotional I wrote about my dreading an upcoming planned occasion and how Paul’s verse together with the Holy Spirit changed my outlook prior to the event.  So encouraged, I launched into a mystery hunt, expecting to learn something that would bless me.  And God came through, using His word and a changed expectation to see and receive the gifts He had planned. 

Fast forward to this month when Mike and I shared eight days with two of our grandkids. Some intense emotions and puberty girl drama occurred during their stay, eliciting all  our empathetic listening skills.

Compared to when we raised our two sons years ago, we proved better equipped to offer supportive listening with lots of hugs as well as spoken prayers for this precious Chrisitan granddaughter. She clearly was struggling with some important and deep early adolescent issues. We HAD to depend on God and He came through in a beautiful way. The Father gave Elizabeth some spiritual insights while communicating His total love for her when she doubted. We felt privileged as she confided in us which enabled us to support her with love.

A couple weeks have passed since our grandkids were here, but my empathetic skills have remained sharp. Omniscient God had already prepared me to assist my husband when he felt battered by two painful life occurrences. How did that unfold? During a sleepless night, while depending on the Holy Spirit, I received an insight prompting me to offer something to Mike out of love. In the morning, when we talked, my offer quickly dissolved and softened the blows he had received. 

Maria’s lesson?  The God of Grace is enough, both for me and for me to help others. He promises supernatural joy and peace when we trust Him. Looking for God’s spiritual gifts and listening for His voice is how I can receive exactly what I need from Him.

What kind of good works?

June 23, 2025

Maria Good works, John 6, Spiritual Growth, Titus 2 , , , 2 Comments

[Jesus] gave himself for us . . . to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:14 ESV

My colleague who volunteers with me on Tuesday mornings overflows with love, desiring “to do good works.” Her large and soft heart embraces those unacquainted with Jesus’ good news. But her husband doesn’t yet share this passionate zeal. She mourns this reality. Seeing other couples aligned and serving God together pains her.

Paul wrote to Titus about  these “good works” prepared by God for us to do. But just what did he have in mind? Looking to the Gospel of John, we read:

What must we do, to be doing the works of God? . . . This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. John 6:28–29 ESV

My friend who is drawn to helping others would likely respond, “I already DO believe in Him!” True, but the Greek word for believe means to trust, to “en-trust all things to Jesus as Lord.” What Jesus is calling for is a handing over of all that concerns us. For my friend, this includes her husband’s spiritual journey. 

It could be, and this is just a conjecture, that until she actually believes that Jesus has got this, the situation might not change. Jesus might just think it best FIRST to grow HER unequivocal confidence in Him. And then grow her husband.

How God helps us in our marriages

June 16, 2025

Maria Colossians, Holy Spirit, Malachi 2, Marriage , , Leave a comment

Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.

 Malachi 2:15 ESV

I never noticed this before until our Sunday School teacher read from the Malachi the other week.  The prophet records God’s reminder to the Hebrews that when He instituted marriage for all of creation, each married couple received some of His Spirit as a gift. 

If couples throughout all time have been endowed with divine presence in the form of some of His spirit, think how much more help we have, as Christians!

For example, when Mike and I were married, we were faithful church attenders, but not yet Christians.  Although we thought we were,. Afterall, we believed in God, we acknowledged that Jesus was the Savior and we had been baptized. Those around us in our denomination at the time would have said that was enough ‘to qualify’.   But once we saw our sin and turned from it for the first time, understanding its seriousness, we gratefully grasped Jesus’ offer of salvation. With awe.

Now, with the Holy Spirit permanently abiding in us, we have His permanent help for our marriage. As Paul writes to the Colossians, Christ in me, the assurance of Glory.   Jesus through His Spirit is never going to depart from Mike nor from me. That makes a significant difference in marriage. 

Yes, Satan and his foul spirits are set on destroying all marriage, but we needn’t worry. We just need to recall God’s good gift to help us strengthen our union with each other. 

I’m going to start praying for married Christian family and friends specifically for them to remember that they have the greatest resource to help them in their conflicts and suffering. They and we are not alone in this life. 

And for couples for whom God’s plan includes children, Malachi affirms God’s commitment to help them raise godly sons and daughters.  If God is FOR us in our marriages and families, then we have nothing to fear. 

As close as your next breath

June 2, 2025

Maria Eternal Life, Holy Spirit, John 20, Life, Luke 11 , , Leave a comment

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20: 21-22 ESV

I’m always thinking of and searching for a way to open a discussion about Jesus.  Each Tuesday, I have the opportunity to talk about Him with the clients I serve at our local Christian pregnancy center here in Huntsville. A lot of the gals I meet think that being a Christian is only about going to church. So, I try to find an approach that bypasses the church question. 

Reading in John what Jesus gave the disciples after His resurrection, I thought of a more pointed entry into a conversation about the Gospel. Maybe I could ask, “Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you permanently?” Of course, I’d have to explain what that meant.  But maybe they would be more curious than otherwise. 

God’s breath is something I think about every morning when I sit down with my Bible. I tell Him out loud that I know He as God is sovereign over every single thing that exists. Likewise, I acknowledge that He provides each of my breaths. He has my life in His hands. 

At night when I climb into bed, I think about each of those  breaths as I follow a series of three or four deep inhales, hold and slow exhales. As near as they are to me, being in my mouth, also think of God’s Spirit. I press my arms next to my body and say, “Thank You, Jesus, that Your Spirit is in me.  I have all that I need.  You will never leave me. You move with me continuously wherever I go. I am never alone or without resources.  Truly, I lack nothing.”

This morning, I saw some good news in Luke 11 that I might be able to share with one of my Tuesday clients.  Jesus, talking to His followers concludes an exhortation to keep praying and never give up: “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13 NLT

God’s granting of each breath and His Spirit are interconnected.  Receiving these good gifts is just a matter of asking and believing, for declares that He will honor that request.

I can let go of unfilled desires

May 26, 2025

Maria Desire, God's gifts, Luke 6, Patience , , , 1 Comment

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.  Luke 6:21 NIV

There are some ‘hungers’ or desires that I have that might never be fulfilled or satisfied. I feel wistful at times. As I age, fewer days await me before either Jesus returns or I go to join Him. 

This morning, when I paused over Luke’s account and considered Jesus’ words, His promise encouraged my heart and brought some relief to my heart. I don’t have to feel sad that I probably won’t get to visit the many overseas places that ‘call to me’.  There are also many friends whom I long to be with. We’ve moved a fair number of times throughout our marriage. Getting to make new friends has brought joy, but saying goodbye to old friends leaves an ache.  Realistically I know there is only so much time in this life. 

Finally, I always wanted to live near our grandchildren, so we could be involved in their lives and get to enjoy them more.  And over the years of our marriage, I have prayed for Mike’s dreams and desires to realize, but a fair number have not. Yes, I bow to God’s good sovereign plans, but those unfulfilled desires still hurt.

But God has the final word.  He has announced that one day I will be satisfied. Not just partially, but completely. The Greek indicates meanings such as ‘stuffed, filled, sated.’ I picture that wonderful feeling when every morsel of my favorite meal has left me wanting not another bite. That’s the kind of satisfaction our God promises.

So for now in my late 60s, I can practice patience without anxiety, letting go of earthly disappointments, knowing for sure as they say, “The best is yet to come.”

Does God protect us from ‘all evil’?

May 19, 2025

Maria Evil, Fear, Psalm 121, Soul Care , , , Leave a comment

The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. Psalm 121:7  Berean Standard Bible 

In church this morning, Psalm 121 was the appointed Old Testament reading to add some context to the sermon from John 17. I had sat down before the service feeling distracted. But listening to Pastor Jim read verse seven calmed the fluttering fear fragments encircling me. Unable to point to anything specific, I just felt preoccupied with the usual anxieties accompanying this teetering world.  When I had time after lunch, I looked up this verse, examining a couple of words.  Jim read from the ESV which translates nephesh as life.  

God declares He will guard me from all evil. But I know that He does not stop ‘early’ deaths all the time. Babies die in the womb and in childhood. Disease, war and accidents claim the lives of many believers before anyone would expect them to die.  So where is the comfort of knowing that the Lord protects me and my loved ones from all evil?  

The word used, nephesh, can also indicate the soul. What is absolutely true is that all the time God is protecting the souls of His elect. My problem is in undervaluing my soul. Maybe I am more like the rich man in the parable, the one who felt secure due to the growth of ‘Big Barn Investments’.  Jesus draws attention to what this Hebrew has overlooked, his soul. No manner of wealth will protect his soul.  Only God can. 

My ‘barn’ may not be one filled with material wealth, but I know I can fall into following and idolizing ideal health practices. Help me, Father, to appreciate more each day how You keep my soul.

God’s offer and gift of repentance never ends

May 12, 2025

Maria Joel 2, Praise, Repentance, Trusting God , , , , , , Leave a comment

Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine, and oil. . . Do not fear, land; shout for joy and rejoice, For the LORD has done great things. Joel 2:19, 21 NASB

In this encouraging passage, the Lord announces His plan to restore Judah after having punished them for their rebellion. They have been ground down to nothing, but God is about to bless them with yet another chance to turn around.

Looking at the verbs, I see the importance of trust.  The King of the Universe has brought measured suffering on His wayward people. For centuries they have mocked His righteousness and holiness. All along, He has prophets to call them to repentance, but they have ignored God’s spokesmen. Well-deserved consequences have brought to their knees and they now look to and believe Almighty God.

What good news to read that the Lord doesn’t give up on His people.  Out of love, He offers a fresh opportunity: “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12 NIV

Just as the Lord was faithful to carry out His warnings, so too will He fulfill those kind pledges of mercy. With renewed humility and trust, Judah can respond to God’s spoken plans of healing and abundance with the same joy as if the restoration were as good as done. That’s called faith, or trusting what God says.  I honor God when I don’t wait for visible evidence, when I take Him at His word because I trust Him. 

I see a personal call on my life  always to be looking for the many praise-worthy attributes and actions of God. Given His infinite and eternal character and hundreds of specific promises, I will never run out of material to fuel my praises.  Just maybe motivation.  But then I can ask Jesus to forgive me and enable me to continue. 

Do you love Jesus?

May 3, 2025

Maria Hope, Loving God, Romans 8, Saving Faith , , Leave a comment

We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) Romans 8:24-25 NLT

I’ve been participating in a long-term study of the Book of Revelation which we’re about to finish. This morning, the accompanying notes had this stunning statement. “Everyone who loves Jesus will be with Him physically in the restored/renovated world” (translated from the Spanish) 

Recognizing that coming reality caused me to turn it around to form a question I could ask people I encounter. “Do you love Jesus?” If they respond in the affirmative, I could follow up with, “If so, how do people around you know that you do love Him?” 

When I’m serving at our local pregnancy center, I often ask the Hispanic clients I serve what their relationship with Jesus is like. They usually respond with something about church and their infrequent attendance.  While church is good, that is not what I want to talk about. This approach, “Do you love Jesus?” goes right to the heart of the issue.

Reading this morning’s verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans, I thought, “If I am waiting patiently for something that I don’t yet have, then I must really believe it is coming!” That means that I must believe in the reality of Jesus’ return for me to wait for it with confident patience. In these turbulent times, a returning King is what I am holding on to.

Which is better to give or to receive?

April 24, 2025

Maria Acts 20, Ephesians 3, Giving, Knowing Jesus , , Leave a comment

I pray….(that you) know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16, 19 ESV

I just finished a book about how the blood covenant grounds or acts as the foundation for God’s love for us. As Paul wrote, we are not just to learn about Christ through studying His word, but we are meant to experience His love.

There’s a knowing facts and data about someone and a knowing that is gained through doing life with that someone. For instance, I know far more than just biographical facts about my husband, for I am the recipient of his love. Daily, he demonstrates how much he cherishes me.  He studies me to know how best to provide, to show his care, to anticipate my needs and desires. As a result, I have come to trust him. 

What if I were never to let Mike do anything for me? What if I rejected his help, thinking he’ll love me more if I don’t take from him, don’t count on him to help me?

For one, I’d be a fool. More importantly, he would feel hurt. He would rightly conclude that I don’t trust him.

It’s the same with Jesus. The way to really know Jesus is not through earning or meriting His love, but receiving it as ‘gift’.  The amazing news is that He is an eager ‘Giver’.

Yes, according to Luke’s account in Acts, Jesus did teach at one point, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 ESV But, I think there is far more scriptural evidence to support the learned skill of receiving. A joyful recipient completes the joy of the Giver. 

Older Entries Newer Entries